Securing means for a dental retaining splint

ABSTRACT

Securing means for a dental splint used in the reinforcement and retention of teeth in the mouth comprising a securing member having a head and threaded shank portions, a collar intermediate the head and threaded shank portions, and covering means provided for said head portion.

PATENED APR27|97| 3575073 Y INVENTOR.

BERNARD WEISSMAN 'Attorneys United States Patent Bernard Weisman 304Ashland Place, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217 825,735

May 19,1969

Apr. 27, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented SECURING MEANS FOR ADENTAL RETAINING SPLINT l2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 32/6 lnt. (`l Alc 13/22 Field of Search 32/6 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,395,455 8/1968 Overby etal.

Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Attorney-Friedman and Goodman ABSTRACT:Securing means for a dental splint used in the reinforcement andretention of teeth in the mouth comprising a securing member having ahead and threaded shank portions, a collar intermediate the head andthreaded shank portions, and covering means provided for said headportion.

SECURING MEANS FOR A DENTAL RETAINING SPLINT BAC KGROU ND OF THEINVENTION l Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to'asplint for the reinforcement and retention of teeth in the mouth andmore particularly to novel securing means therefor.

2. Description of the Prior Art The practice of reinforcing naturalteeth my means of a splint structure disposed along the lingual surfacesof anterior teeth is now recognized in the practice of dentistry.Generally, what is done is to drill apertures in each of the involvedteeth, thence locating pins are inserted through the apertures,impressions are made with the locating pins in place, the pins areremoved, the impression is next removed, the pins are reinstalled in theimpression and a cast model is made from the impression. Thereafter, awax-up is formed which corresponds to the configuration of the desiredsplint overlying the lingual areas of the involved teeth. This isaccomplished by first placing a threaded pin through the apertures inthe cast model and a nut is drawn up thereon. Subsequently, a waxup ismade of the splint body and finally a metal casting of the splint ismade. This prior art procedure is more fully described in my recentlyissued U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,311. Reference to that patent will show thatultimately a threaded nut becomes a part of the metal splint by virtueof its being embedded therein during the splint-casting process, whichnut is in registry with the apertures previously drilled in the involvedteeth. A suitable screw is then inserted into each of the apertures inthe tooth threadably engaging it with the associated nut.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, among one of the principalobjectives of the invention to provide improved and novel means forsecuring a splint structure tothe teeth which are desired to bereinforced.

In accordance with the present invention, the securing means comprise asecuring member having a head and a threaded shank portion, a collarintermediate the head and threaded shank portions, and covering meansprovided for said head portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be hereinafter morefully described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing a securing member constructedaccording to the invention, and as shown in greatly magnified condition.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the securing member shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the covering means for the headportion of the securing member.

FIG. 4 is a sectional, side elevational view of a splint and tooth withthe securing device shown threadably engaged in registered aperturesprovided in the splint and tooth.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except that the securing device isshown in fully secured emplacement and in finished relationship withtooth and splint.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the FIGS. ofthe drawing, the invention will be described in conjunction withmandibular dentition, wherein it is desired to install a retainingsplint I0 to overlie lingual areas of the anterior teeth, of which tooth12 is an example. It is understood that this particular splintinstallation is selected for illustrative purposes only and that thesubject invention may be applied to a wide variety of toothcombinations.

The preparation of the apertures in the teeth to be reinforced, and thesplint as well as its registered apertures are adequately described insaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,311, and need not be further discussed here.

As may be seen from FIGS. I, 4 and 5, the installation is accomplishedby locating the splint 10 against the lingual surfaces of the involvedteeth 12 (for convenience only one tooth is shown) and inserting asecuring member 14 into each of the registered apertures in the teethand splint threadingly engaging said securing member with the associatedinternal threads in each aperture.

Describing now the invention securing device in greater detail, itcomprises a securing member 14 having a threaded shank portion 20terminating at one end 22 in an Unthreaded elongated tapered lead 24 andat its other end 26 in a head portion 28. Preferably, tapered lead 24terminates, in turn, into an elongated needlelike lead 53. Intermediatethe head portion 28 and the shank portion 20, there is provided acollar30, preferably circular in configuration.

The head portion 28 is preferably an elongated body 32 having a pair ofparallel opposing flat sidewalls 34, 36 and opposing curved upper andlower walls 38 and 40, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, headportion 28 is adapted to be partially removable from the securing member14 by providing a generally V-shaped groove or cut 42 into the body 32,contiguous with the upper and lowerl walls 38 and 40 and sidewalls 34,36. Groove 42 is located at a position close to the collar 30, so thatwhen groove 42 is completely cut through only a small part 44 of thehead 28 will remain, as will be seen subsequently hereinbelow.

Covering means (FIG. 3) are provided for the severed head portion 44comprising a generally annular body 46 provided with a generally centralbore 48 which is associatingly shaped to slidingly receive the severedhead portion and completely overlie it, as will also be more fullyshown.

Itis to be understood that the securing device of the invention iscomposed of parts of such miniature size as to be employable in theteeth and splint. Typically, the dimensions may be, as an illustrativeexample, the following:

Threaded shank 20-.0305 inch diam.

Collar 30-.010 inch width.

Groove 42-.020 inch deep.

Head portion 28-.140 inch longI x .O20 inch diam. Severed head portion44-.020 inch long. Tapered lead 24e-down to .014 inch.

The device is formed of a suitable dental metal, such as gold alloy, orthe like.

Describing now, in greater detail, the operation of the invention, thesecuring member 14 is inserted via its elongated leads 24 and 53 intoaperture 50 of tooth 12 until the leading threads of the shank portion20 engage with the associated threads of the aperture. The tapered leadis among one of the specific features of the invention, in that itenables the securing member to be inserted into the aperture of thetooth without immediately becoming threadingly engaged, Le., until theproper alignment of the screw member is achieved in the associatinglythreaded aperture. This eliminates the discomfort to the patient whichwould occur if a proper alignment were not achieved andthedentist had tounthread the securing member and start all over again. The elongatedlead 53 enables the securing member to be grasped from that end by asuitable tool thereby rendering the securing member holdable in placewithin the registered apertures.

When the securing member is properly aligned within the apertures, asdescribed above, the threaded shank portion is finally threaded homethrough aperture 50 in the tooth 12 and into internally threadedregistered aperture 52 of the splint 10, until the collar 30 is disposedwithin countersunk portion 54 of the tooth aperture (previouslyprovided, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,311); with the collar inabutment with the resultant shoulder 56 provided by the countersunk bore54, inside the tooth.

The abutment of the collar with the shoulder allows for the splint 10 tobe tightly drawn up against the tooth. The position of the securingmember 14 is at this point in the condition shown by FIG. 4l, that is,with the leads 24 and 53, and a forward part of threaded shank 20protruding out of the aperture 52 of the splint, and a rearward part ofthe head portion 28 protruding out of the countersunk bore 54 of thetooth aperture 50,

When the splint is tightly secured against the involved tooth, theseverable portion 60 of the head 28 is cut off at the groove 42,provided for that purpose, leaving only the severed head portion 44(FIG. 5). Similarly, the excess part of the threaded shank is cut off toprovide a smooth continuum along the lingual surface of the splint.Thereafter, the covering means comprising the annular body 46 areinserted over the remaining head portion 44 via bore 48, which, asearlier mentioned, is associatingly shaped so that it will slidingly fitover the specially shaped head portion. The diameter of the annular body46 is of a dimension such that it will fit inside the countersunk bore,the covering means serving to further lock the remaining head portion 44in place. Any space remaining is filled in with a material matching thetooth color.

l claim:

l. A device for securing a dental-retaining splint to a plurality ofteeth in a mouth, said device comprising a securing member provided witha threaded shank portion insertablc through an aperture in a tooth forthreaded engagement into a threaded aperture provided in the splint, ahead portion for threading said shank portion into the splint, andcollar means disposed intermediate said head l and shank portions forabutting the tooth with the tooth being disposed between the splint andsaid collar means so that the splint is tightly drawn against the toothwhen said shank portion is threaded into the splint.

2. A device according to claim l wherein said threaded shank portionterminates at one end thereof in an elongated tapered lead to enablesaid securing member to be inserted into the tooth aperture withoutimmediately becoming threadingly engaged, thereby permitting properalignment of said shank portion in the threaded aperture.

3. A device according to claim l wherein said head portion furthercomprises an elongated body having a pair of parallel opposing flatsidewalls and opposing curved upper and lower walls, said head portionbeing adapted to be partially remova ble from said securing member byproviding a groove into said body contiguous with said upper and lowerwalls and sidewalls, said groove being provided at a position close tosaid collar.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said device includes a coveringmeans for said head portion, said covering means comprising a generallyannular body provided with generally central opening means adapted toassociatingly and slidingly receive said remaining head portion afterpartially removing said head portion.

5. In combination, securing means and a dental-retaining splint forretaining a plurality of teeth in a mouth, said splint being providedwith a plurality of apertures substantially registerable with aplurality of apertures provided in the teeth, said splint aperturesbeing provided with internal threads, said securing means comprising aplurality of securing members, each of said securing members beingprovided with a threaded shank portion inseitable through one of theteeth apertures for threaded engagement into one of said threaded splintapertures, a head portion for threading said shank portion into said onethreaded splint aperture, and collar means disposed intermediate saidhead and shank portions for abutting one tooth of said teeth with saidtooth being disposed between the splint and said collar means so thatthe splint is tightly drawn against the tooth when said shank portion isthreaded into the splint thereby securing said dental-retaining splintto the teeth.

6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein said head portion isadapted to be partially severable, each of said securing members beingfurther provided with covering means, said covering means being adaptedto slidingly fit over the resultingly remaining head portion when it .isin the severed condition to lock said remaining head portion in placewith respect to the tooth.

7. A device for securing a dental-retaining splint comprising a securingmember having a head and threaded shank portions, said head portionbeing rotated to thread said shank portion, a collar `is disposedintermediate said head and threaded shank portions to define an abutmentto limit insertion of said securing member when said shank portion isthreaded, and covering means provided for said head portion, saidthreaded shank portion being provided at its leading end with anelongated unthreaded tapered portion integral therewith to permit properalignment thereof, said head portion further comprising an elongatedbody having a pair of parallel opposing flat sidewalls and opposingcurved upper and lower walls, said covering means being provided with agenerally centrally disposed aperture associatingly shaped to slidinglyfit over said head portion.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said head portion is adapted tobe partially severable from said securing member.

9. A device according to claim 7 wherein a V-shaped groove is providedinto said body contiguous with said upper and lower walls and sidewalls,said groove being provided at a position close to said collar.

l0. A device according to claim 7 wherein said collar is generallycircular in configuration.

1l. A device according to claim 2 wherein said tapered lead terminatesin turn into an elongated needlelike lead.

l2. A device according to claim 7 wherein said tapered lead terminatesin turn into an elongated needlelike lead.

1. A device for securing a dental-retaining splint to a plurality ofteeth in a mouth, said device comprising a securing member provided witha threaded shank portion insertable through an aperture in a tooth forthreaded engagement into a threaded aperture provided in the splint, ahead portion for threading said shank portion into the splint, andcollar means disposed intermediate said head and shank portions forabutting the tooth with the tooth being disposed between the splint andsaid collar means so that the splint is tightly drawn against the toothwhen said shank portion is threaded into the splint.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said threaded shank portion terminates atone end thereof in an elongated tapered lead to enable said securingmember to be inserted into the tooth aperture without immediatelybecoming threadingly engaged, thereby permitting proper alignment ofsaid shank portion in the threaded aperture.
 3. A device according toclaim 1 wherein said head portion further comprises an elongated bodyhaving a pair of parallel opposing flat sidewalls and opposing curvedupper and lower walls, said head portion being adapted to be partiallyremovable from said securing member by providing a groove into said bodycontiguous with said upper and lower walls and sidewalls, said groovebeing provided at a position close to said collar.
 4. A device accordingto claim 3 wherein said device includes a covering means for said headportion, said covering means comprising a generally annular bodyprovided with generally central opening means adapted to associatinglyand slidingly receive said remaining head portion after partiallyremoving said head portion.
 5. In combination, securing means and adental-retaining splint for retaining a plurality of teeth in a mouth,said splint being provided with a plurality of apertures substantiallyregisterable with a plurality of apertures provided in the teeth, saidsplint apertures being provided with internal threads, said securingmeans comprising a plurality of securing members, each of said securingmembers being provided with a threaded shank portion insertable throughone of the teeth apertures for threaded engagement into one of saidthreaded splint apertures, a head portion for threading said shankportion into said one threaded splint aperture, and collar meansdisposed intermediate said head and shank portions for abutting onetooth of said teeth with said tooth being disposed between the splintand said collar means so that the splint is tightly drawn against thetooth when said shank portion is threaded into the splint therebysecuring said dental-retaining splint to the teeth.
 6. A combinationaccording to claim 5 wherein said head portion is adapted to bepartially severable, each of said securing members being furtherprovided with coveRing means, said covering means being adapted toslidingly fit over the resultingly remaining head portion when it is inthe severed condition to lock said remaining head portion in place withrespect to the tooth.
 7. A device for securing a dental-retaining splintcomprising a securing member having a head and threaded shank portions,said head portion being rotated to thread said shank portion, a collaris disposed intermediate said head and threaded shank portions to definean abutment to limit insertion of said securing member when said shankportion is threaded, and covering means provided for said head portion,said threaded shank portion being provided at its leading end with anelongated unthreaded tapered portion integral therewith to permit properalignment thereof, said head portion further comprising an elongatedbody having a pair of parallel opposing flat sidewalls and opposingcurved upper and lower walls, said covering means being provided with agenerally centrally disposed aperture associatingly shaped to slidinglyfit over said head portion.
 8. A device according to claim 7 whereinsaid head portion is adapted to be partially severable from saidsecuring member.
 9. A device according to claim 7 wherein a V-shapedgroove is provided into said body contiguous with said upper and lowerwalls and sidewalls, said groove being provided at a position close tosaid collar.
 10. A device according to claim 7 wherein said collar isgenerally circular in configuration.
 11. A device according to claim 2wherein said tapered lead terminates in turn into an elongatedneedlelike lead.
 12. A device according to claim 7 wherein said taperedlead terminates in turn into an elongated needlelike lead.